DPMC BIM
John Key has released the DPMC BIM. The breakdown of the 120 staff is interesting:
- External Assessments Bureau 27
- Government House 27
- Cabinet Office 25
- Corporate Services 17
- Policy Advisory Group 16
- Domestic & External Security Group 6
- CEO Office 2
The last five sections look right to me in terms of staff numbers. Cabinet Office basically runs the cabinet system of government, and the Policy Advisory Group do a magnificent job in co-ordinating and leading policy across the entire Government. No-one sane would reduce their numbers.
But I am surprised 27 staff are needed for the Governor-General. That’s more staff than the PM has in his personal office.
Also somewhat surprised by 27 staff working in the EAB. I wouldn’t have thought there was that much assessing to be done – especially when you consider MFAT, SIS and GCSB also work somewhat in this area.
So maybe the Cabinet Committee on Expenditure Control can start in the centre 
December 16th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Is this another BIM that has only been partly released, and not the full monty… lets have a look
December 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
More likely David Farrar should pause for breath and find out what the EAB and Government House Staff do before he goes off half cocked.
December 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Government House has probably had more staff in the past. It may well have had staff from several departments eg Ministry of Works, Internal affairs etc. At one time they grew their own vegetables.
December 16th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
IMHO twice as many as really necessary Halve the numbers and the cost and no one would notice the difference
FFS We have an economic crisis going on WTF do we need all this deadweight There must be no scared cows Every single post should be evaluated on the basis of:
If this post was scrapped would we see the end of the world
As the late Sir Peter Blake would say Will it make the boat go faster
This is no time for wimps JK and BE have to shape up to the precious Sir Humphries and take the bastards head on.
TINA
December 16th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I agree with the sentiments Tina, and the DPMC should be looked at like everywhere else, but I’m bloody glad the decisions aren’t being made on DPF’s or your gut feelings! I’d be very surprised if the DPMC lost any staff. With my very limited knowledge of Government House, 27 seems quite a small number – two households to run, two buildings to manage, a million functions & ceremonies to manage and staff (you’d be very surprised at how much head of state stuff the GG does), speeches to be written…..I wouldn’t be surprised if the Advisory Group actually grew in size. The EAB is a bit of a mystery, but successive government have regarded their independent advice on external relations as necessary. The 1990 cuts left the EAB untouched, like the rest of the DPMC.
Admit it DPF, in spite of working in the Beehive you don’t know anything about the EAB and Government House.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Can someone please deconstruct the DPMC BIM acronym for me? I suppose I could look it up… grumble… don’t see why I should have to… hmpf.
****
OK, fellow noobs who don’t want to open a PDF or don’t have Acrobat etc… Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet – Brief for Incoming Minister.
I’m sure, DPF, you would’ve been told off at school/uni for using an acronym without giving the full term when first used within any piece of work.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Actually, Dave, the EAB, SIS, and GCSB do entirely different jobs. Comparing them is like comparing Customs, Police and the Truancy Office.
27 pers in EAB is stuff-all. I would be happier with close to 100. Unless, of course, we are happy to continue bludging off intelligence provided by the US, UK and Australia.
December 17th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Agreed, EAB does a very important job, and those skills are complementary to the work done by MFAT. The EAB is responsible for External intelligence, so is important to have our own information rather than garnering second rate stuff.
I do know former employees of the EAB and they are top-quality people.